Apparatus for reclaiming cleaning fluids



June 20, 1933. v READ 1,914,703

APPARATUS FOR RECLAIMING CLEANING FLUIDS Filed Jan. 8, 1951 @Meaj v INVENTOR /6 I 7 ATTORNEY dune 2t}, 1933 VERNE 3. HEAD, OF AKEON, GHIG APPARATUS FDR R-ECLAIMIEG CLEANING FLUIDS A- licaticn filed Januar 8 3331. Serial Ho. 507,374.

This invention relates to apparatus for reclaiming liquids, particularly dry cleaning liquids.

The economic operation of dry cleaning 5 plants requires the reclaiming of the dry cleaning solution. This is of great importance when a costly solution such as carbon tetrachiorid is employed. In cleaning ordinary articles; sand, metal and other subm stances are washed from the articles and are collected in the solution after it is used. The

solution is ordinarily drawn from the washer and the articles in the washer are subject to a rinsingsolution. The rinsing solution is then drawn from the washer and added to the solution, in which the articles have been washed. This is pumped to various lilters, stills or other reclaiming apparatus. The sand and gritin the used solution injures the working parts of the pump making the operation of the ordinary process inconvenient and expensive.

Objects oi this invention are to provide apparatus of simple, inexpensive construction, which will not be subject to the ordinary causes of wear and in consequence may be operated more elliciently and economically than apparatus of ordinary construction.

The above and other objects are accomplished by the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which I have 'ilh, trated one form of the invention, it being understood that the invention is subject to various modifications and that changes and substitutions may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

in the drawing like numerals of reference are employed to designate like parts as the same may appear in any of the several views and in which The figure is a diagrammatic view showing certain parts in cross section and. others in side elevation.

In the particular adaptation of the invention shown in the drawing. the numeral 5 is used to designate a washing; machine which is 01": a type 'dinarily employed in the dry cleaning plants. The washing machine is provided with an outlet 6, and the numeral 7 denotes a tank which is positioned beneath the washer 5, to receive the used cleaning solution therefrom.

The tank 7 is provided with a partition 8 which divides the tank into the cavities 9 and 10. A pipe 11 leads from the pipe 6 to the cavity 9 of a tank 7. The pipe 6 leads to the cavity 10 of the tank 7. F Each of the 60 pipes 6 and 11 are provided with suitable valves 12 which may be operated to open and close said pipes. The tank 9 is provided with an outlet pipe 13 which projects downward ly to the pump 14. The pipe 15 leads from the pump 14 to the filter device 16. An eductor 17 is operatively positioned in the pipe 15 at a point between the pump let and the filtering apparatus 16.

The numeral 18 denotes a waste pipe which leads from the cavity 10. The pipe 13 is pro vided with a valve 19 and the pipe 18 with the valve 20 which may be operated to open and close each of said pipes. The numeral 21 denotes a still. A pipe 22 is operatively connected between the filter device 16 and the still 21. The numeral 23 denotes a condenser which is operatively connected to the still 21 by means of the pipe 24L. The numeral 28 denotes a storage tank and the numeral 25 a pipe which delivers the cleaning fluid to the storage tank from the condenser 23.

In operation. the articles to becleaned are placed in the washer 5 and the valve 26 in the line 27. is opened to permit dry cleaninp; fluid to flow from the tank 28. to the washer 5. As soon as a suflicient quantity of the cleaning; fluid is thus placed in the cavity of the washer 5. the valve 26 is closed and the washer is operated a sullicient length of time to clean the article. The valve 12 is then opened to permit the used dry cleaning fluid to flow into the tank 10.

The valve 12 is then closed and the valve 26 is opened to place the proper amount of rinsing solution in the washer 5. The washer is then operated for a suliicient length of time to thoroughly clean the articles therein. The valve 12 in the line 11 is then opened and the rinsing solution is then deposited in the chamber 9 of the tank 7.

To reclaim the liquid, the valve 19 is opened and the pump 14; is operated. The pump 14 delivers the comparatively clean rinsing solution in the chamber 9 in a forced stream to the eductor 17. The force of this stream causes a suction in the eductor 17 which draws liquid through the pipe 18 and delivers it through the pipe 15 to the filtering apparatus 16 from which it is in turn delivered to the still 21. The still 21 vaporizes the cleaning fluid and it is forced into the condenser 23, as it is condensed it flows into the tank 28 and is ready for reuse.

It will be seen that practically all sand, grit and other injurious substances will be Washed from the articles and drawn into the chamber 10. As only the comparatively clean rinsing solution is deposited in the tank 9, the injurious substances can not come in contact with the working parts of the pump.

I claim:

In apparatus for receiving and delivering a used cleaning fluid from a Washer, a tank for a used Washing solution, a second tank for a used rinsing solution, selectively operable means for delivering a dry cleaning liquid from said washer to each of said tanks, a pump, a conduit leading from the second tank to the inlet end of said pump, a pipe line leading from the delivery end of said pump, an eductor operatively interposed in said pipe line and a pipe leading from the first named tank to said eductor whereby said pump is operable to create a forced flow of the liquid from the second tank through the eductor to create a suction in the eductor and cause a flow of the fluid from said first tank through said delivery pipe.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

VERNE R. READ. 

